Updated March 26th 2009
: This is what I have gleaned so far regarding painting the types of nylon
: people seem to be using for the skin. (Thanks to those who have contributed to this
: synthesis)
: 1:. Varathane Exterior Paints with pigments added.
: 2: Spar Varnish tinted with oil based enamel pigments
: 3: Water based Polycrylic (Actually and interior paint! The user knew it was
: an experiment))
: 4: Exterior gloss urethane (3 parts) to 2 parts of Urethane fortified oil
: paint (to add colour)
: 5: Add artists oil paints (colour of choice) to the varnish
: 6: Universal pigments do not work as well as Artists oil paints.
7: Just paint over your varnish the colour that you want. (Varnish is paint without the colour pigments)
8: This has to be the BEST link to staining and decorating etc.:- http://www.skinboats.org/skinboats/skin_shrinking_and_dying.html

Regard to dyeing:
1. Probably the best general information site for nylon/polyester is; http://www.pburch.net/dyeing/aboutdyes.shtml
2: Clearly acid dyes (though possibly dispersal dyes) are the dyes of choice.
3: They seem to need heat to fix them. (I need to find out more about that)
4: It seems that people use their washing machine to do the dying in. ( I Will have to wait for my wife to spend a few days away before i dare try that! )
5: It would appear that your "national well known brands" of dyes (general dyes)have some acid and some non acid dyes in them. The non acid will wash out as they do not stick to nylon. They are not recommended by those who appear to know about these things. (But they will work to some extent)
6: See "8" above. (http://www.skinboats.org/skinboats/skin_shrinking_and_dying.html)

: Please add to these possible approaches to painting and dyeing man-made
: "skins" if you have more information.
(For greater detail please read all the posts in this thread.)
: Thanks